Dear friends,
At our diocesan convention in 2008, I called upon the diocesan family to establish and develop the Episcopal Charities Fund of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

I set as a goal that 2,009 Episcopalians in the diocese would each contribute $1,000 to begin this endowment fund to generate revenue for outreach purposes both within and beyond our diocese. As I said in my convention address, these funds could be used for work in the Dominican Republic, Haitian ministry, refugee resettlement or immediate needs for crisis care through Episcopal Relief and Development.

In addition, this diocese remains committed to the Millennium Development Goals. There also are creative and necessary congregational outreach ministries that seek funding, along with deanery-level outreach needs.

I am asking us to faithfully build this fund for the life of the diocese for the next 10, 20, 50 years and beyond.

We can do this, and it will make a difference. I ask you to contribute to the Episcopal Charities Fund. The seed has already been planted and it is growing. Please help it grow and make a difference.

The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith